Renowned Scientist vs. Eerie Witches

This week, I attended the Annual Lecture of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre - my first European Union event. The keynote speaker, Dr. Alan Leshner, is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Executive Publisher of the journal Science. The event marked the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the European Commission’s first research site. I was especially excited that my fellow Furman students were in attendance to discuss "Europe and the United States: A crucial moment for science and cooperation."

Dr. Leshner was quite energetic, framing deliberate points, while making the speech amusingly engaging. For the betterment of our global society, it is vital for the nations of the world to collaborate in science and research. While the public seems to lack enthusiasm for science, it is time to empower our educational system from the start. The United States’ science education is one of the worst in the world! It is imperative to start now and improve science and research, as it leads to improved technology, improved economy, and improved quality of life for its citizens. The US must engage the public with science to create a dialogue, not a monologue of "intimidating scientists." If the US can accomplish this, and the EU and the US can collaborate, this will bring countries and people together. I am eager to follow the progress and excited to see what positive outcomes may occur.

On Thursday, I experienced another protest in Brussels for the Lisbon reform treaty and climate debt. Who would have known that Furman's study away program would make me an expert in navigating through angry protestors. On the other side, I was able to score an invite to Ogilvy Brussels' Halloween party. What an opportunity to see my supervisors and colleagues dressed as pirates, goblins, monsters and devils! (Halloween has been "Americanized" in Belgium, so people only dress up as scary things - no Disney princesses or Ninja turtles.) Ogilvy Brussels office was decked out with pumpkins, spider webs, fake bats and eerie candles. As you can tell from the photo, I did not know what I wanted to be this year - notice the witch's hat, vampire teeth and skeleton earrings!

Today I am headed to Berlin for my final class journey with our Furman group. Prior to this trip, we read Stasiland by Anna Funder. The book is based on events from behind the Berlin Wall during the GDR regime. I was deeply moved as I had not even heard any background about neither this post-Nazi government nor the Stasi secret police that controlled and manipulated their citizens. I will visit the Stasi museum and hear more insights that seem so secret from our side of the world.

Plus, Halloween in Berlin should be memorable!

Day In and Day Out

These last few weeks, I’ve been sharing about the wonderful countries I've had the opportunity to visit. Today it's time to focus on my daily journey, day in and day out! Along with my Furman classes, I am taking two of my classes at Vesalius College (VUB) - French and International Business Negotiations. Vesalius College is a small private international college, where I have been enjoying my classes. In International Business Negotiations, there are students from Portugal, Italy, Belgium, India, United States, Canada, France, Spain, Latvia, Germany, and the list goes on. Collaborating with students from these diverse countries and cultures is truly a learning experience in itself. Since our class is a simulation of former international negotiations, we are constantly exposed to each country's ideas, prejudices, and goals. This is certainly an opportunity one would only have while being in the minority in an international setting, so I'm appreciating this opportunity to learn and grow. Plus, my French is improving dramatically (oui!) and I can actually pronounce basic phrases - quite a relief when you're constantly meeting people who speak French or Dutch! In addition to these two courses, we meet with our Furman Brussels group once a week for European Studies and to review our internship experiences. In European Studies, we discuss our readings for our group trips, including books about WWI, WWII and the German Stasi regime, and current EU and US affairs. I especially enjoy our discussions relating to current events. We discuss and debate health care, sustainability/climate change, and science and research - all of which relate to my internship responsibilities. While it's enlightening to hear opinions from my peers, it's even more interesting to gain perspective on what the EU is trying to initiate in respect to these topics versus the US. I am gaining a completely new sense of the world we live in and the responsibilities of being global neighbors.

Of course, things in an unfamiliar country are never perfect, but always interesting. I recently spilled water on my keyboard, watched my keyboard sizzle and slowly die. On the brightside, the computer and mouse work! Haha, regardless of what happens in Europe - it's a constant adventure, testing you in simple and complicated ways. Now that I've been here more than two months, I'm beginning to notice how my peers and I are adapting to our new ways of life. It has become second nature living in a large urban city, using public transportation, being at least bilingual, interacting with professors and other students who have strong opinions about our home country, along with balancing classes, internships, travels, and communications with family and friends back home. It's no easy feat, but we are all making the best of every moment - growing with each step.

This week, three Furman friends came to visit. It was great showing them around like we were natives of Brussels – it reminded me that I haven’t been to many of the tourist spots since August! The second time around I see it through Belgium eyes, giving me an entirely new appreciation. Now that my roommates have had family and friends visit, I am more than eager for my mom to arrive! Even though I’ve been away at Furman for the past three years, there’s nothing better than feeling at home and that typically only happens when Mama Baker (her feelings on her nickname are debatable Haha!) is around! =) The countdown to her arrival begins - 9 days!

Social Media – Trick or Treat?

Social media is forever changing the way we live, work, think and play. If you are asking what is meant by social media, you are likely amongst the majority of users who are unaware that marketers have labeled it. As stated by bigmouthmedia, “social media incorporates the online technology and methods through which people can share content, personal opinions, swap different perspectives and insights into world issues and generally discuss the evolution of media in itself.” Though not a bad summarization, it’s so much more. The Trick – consumers question if this is just another ploy by businesses and marketers to intrude on their personal lives. The Treat – consumers create relationships with businesses, consequently becoming influential partners in their products and services. I beg to agree with the latter. The central difference between social and traditional media is that you are able to engage in social media, even while monitoring it. The sweet social media haul: the touchback to consumers detects issues, evaluates campaign impacts, increases website traffic, improves crisis management, evaluates competitors, expands brand awareness, increases consumer loyalty, becomes influential, and discovers points of need.

Bet you are wondering what sparked this blog? Through my previous and current internships, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of social media – not just for business, but consumers, essentially EVERYONE! This past week I attend a Digital Influence Training for my internship at Ogilvy PR Brussels. Their strategies were simple, yet effective. “Listen, Plan, and Engage.” it’s not just about the businesses. Too many people hear “social media” and shy away. Again, everyone is able to participate through a multitude of avenues. RSS Feeds, sharing widgets, blogs (Yay, I’m one step ahead!), Facebook, Twitter, Social Media releases, fluidbooks, Flickr, Netvibes, YouTube, WikiAnswers, virtual worlds, etc. are all a part of this growing ambiance. “Social media has turned the monologue of advertising and PR into a dialogue between consumers and businesses.” I think this was the most important aspect of the seminar – create ongoing conversations and relationships between businesses and consumers. This new platform, whether you like it or not, is here to stay and will further evolve. As you all know, I love Public Relations and branding management, but the social media venues is about being able to help the consumer. I advice us all to join in! Don’t be scared.

And let me be the first to wish you an early Happy Halloween, as this insight will be what I hand out this year! Trick or Treat!

No vino in Vienna, just Starbucks

Upon our arrival in Vienna on Thursday evening, we were swarmed by people in costumes. First, a group which looked the von Trapp family from “The Sound of Music.” These performers asked us about classical music, which quickly turned into a bizarre conversation about our late night tendencies. Actually, the pseudo van Trapp family was advertising a Mozart concert, as the composer spent much of his life in Vienna. Throughout the evening, we saw several people dressed beer costumes and naturally, we dined at a traditional Austrian restaurant, with hosts and servers in traditional Austrian attire.The remainder of our snow filled evening was spent soaking in the scenery in our “American costumes!” My roommate and I managed to get lost going to our hotel and were given assistance from five locals along the way. And to think I always thought I had a decent sense of direction! It’s odd how Europe can change your perspective on even the little things!

Friday morning we went to Café Central - a local cafe that my roommate’s dad said we had to visit! Was it ever charming! According to our guide book, this café was the meeting point for the city’s intellectuals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We felt our IQs increasing just from the simple meal. If only we had a seven course feast, then could you imagine our intellect? Furman would be so proud.

We then ventured to the Hofburg Palace, Vienna’s former Imperial Palace. The massive, magnificent structure was extremely overwhelming. It is now houses the Imperial Apartments, office of the Austrian President, an international conference center, the Winter Riding School, several museums and state rooms. Now for your weekly history lesson - we visited the Imperial Apartments, which included dishes and china preserved from nearly every era of the time period and the home of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. Empress Elisabeth, commonly known as Sisi by her family, was the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia. She was a legend and icon in her own right, whose influence on Austro-Hungarian politics made lasting impacts. Nevertheless, her free spirit and private manners continue to be debated, as historians still search for answers to her ways. The Sisi Museum’s extent of artifacts and memorabilia dedicated to Empress Elisabeth was phenomenal. This public service announcement has been brought to you by Brussels Routes by baker.

Outside, we were fixated on the horse and buggies. Even the horses wore ear muffs! To flee the freezing temperatures, we visited Starbucks – I know it is Vienna a major coffee capital of the world, but Starbucks frappuccinos are on my most missed list! During the remainder of the afternoon, we walked around the main area of the city, including Museumsquartier, the Stephansdom, and Secession Building. There’s so much to do in Vienna that I surely recommend a week rather than less than forty eight hours! Nevertheless, it was quite a relaxing weekend, walking through the imperial grandeur of Vienna. The entire time, I wondered if this would be my life in the 1800s.

During our last evening, we had to try a local favorite – Number 3 Sonnenfelsgasse. It’s a bar/restaurant in lower cellars that dates back from 1100. The house includes Romanesque and Gothic style cellars, the only of its kind still in existence in Vienna.

Now I am back in our Brussels bungalow, enjoying a peaceful Sunday with treats and fruits from the local market. Also I am enjoying stories from my third roommate, who has just returned from Salzburg with her family, where they took “The Sound of Music” tour. The movie is a Baker family favorite during the holidays – I secretly wanted to be the little girl, Gretl. Shh - Let’s keep that our secret!

Taking place a mere block away at Place Jourdan, is the last night of the Brussels’ Oktoberfest. My roommates and I are planning to take a peek at this event hosted by the EU. For details, please visit http://www.opt.be/informations/events_etterbeek__oktoberfest____beer_festival/en/E/53679.html#. Since I did not make the traditional, 18-day Oktoberfest in Munich, I think this smaller version will more than suffice!

This week, I’m staying in the heart of the EU – a much needed break after six continuous weekends of traveling. However, I’m sure there will be plenty of interesting and entertaining stories to share as I further discover my European home.

P.S. I took these photos for my family, as this trip brought back childhood memories - my grandmother and mom sporting Geiger and my mom and I winning 2nd place in the Laura Ashley Mother-Daughter Lookalike Contest! Haha, ironically, the store I was named after is now out of business, but I'm hoping not to have a similar fate, as I’m just getting started... =)

"The City of Sun" should be "The City of Adventure"

I had my official commune appointment this week – now Belgian authorities cannot deport me! All right, I am safe for I have dual citizenship for a little while! I’ll be receiving my Belgian ID card in about six weeks to prove my new residence. Talk about a legit souvenir!

My getaway weekend to the Italian island of Sardinia was a relaxing Mediterranean holiday that soon encountered unforeseen adventure.

This tripped marked my first RyanAir flight. Quite an entertaining experience - the flight attendants advertise items for purchase during the entire flight. Everything from phone cards and perfume to smokeless cigarettes and lottery tickets make its way through the cabin. Don't even try to nap, as you may miss out on an "exclusive deal from RyanAir!" This goes to show the wide arrays of marketing! And be sure to celebrate an on-time flight - flyers clap and holler their appreciation at landing!

We arrived to Cagliari, Sardinia, known as "The City of Sun", on Friday afternoon and began exploring the ancient city. First stop - the beach. Nothing beats putting your feet in the sand. Oddly enough, the beach was nearly deserted. Nevertheless, it made for perfect serenity. I wish all vacations could be on a private beach! Friday evening we stopped at a local pizzeria. Seemed to be a favorite with people my age. And delicious. Real Italian pizza... Yummy.

Saturday morning we awoke to our friendly B&B owner, Alberto. The charming gentleman had breakfast waiting for us on the terrace, with spectacular views overlooking the ports and mountains (I could get used to this)! Fortunately for us, the B&B is located just outside the center of Cagliari, so there is absolutely nothing blocking our scenery. The other guests staying here are from Madrid. They offered great travel advice and shared stories of their visits to the U.S. It made me smile when they said they loved California and Florida. Two of my favorite vacation spots as well!

We got an early start visiting the highlights of Cagliari - the botanical gardens, ancient Roman outdoor amphitheater, The Castello (the city’s ancient fortification), San Pancrazio Tower, Bastion of Saint Remy (there is an outdoor night club right on the top - imagine the city views!), and shopping district. The San Pancrazio Tower was by far my favorite and also the beginning of the adventure. It took a little peer pressure for me to reach the peak, as I am terrified of heights and open staircases. Put the two together and it's even worse! However, at the highest point in the city, there isn't much you can't see. I hope you enjoy the photos!

For the afternoon, we went to Villasimius, another beach about an hour from Cagliari. Here is where it gets interesting! Our bus driver spoke very little English so it was difficult to know exactly where we were in the coastline drive. At one point, he told us three more stops, and then at the third stop he said we missed it. We finally resolved to go to the next stop with a quiet beach, Cala di Sinzias, in a small town and take the next bus back to Villasimius (as buses don't run very often on the weekends). However, even that plan didn't work, as the bus driver stopped in the middle of an unknown street and said we missed our desired stop again and get off and walk. So at 4pm, in the middle of unknown Sardinia, we started walking. A sign said 2km to Cala di Sinzias and 20km to Villasimius. How many hours would it take to walk? Plus, the bugs were nearly eating us alive (I have 14 bites to prove it). And to top it all off, in fear of it getting wet at the beach, I left my Blackberry with VZW global navigation at the B&B. What luck!

We passed the Cala di Sinzias beach and decided to keep walking, since we did not see a bus stop. At least if we stayed on the road, another bus would have to pass us eventually (wishful thinking). After an hour of walking, a car passed us! Fortunately, two German ladies stopped asked if we needed directions (we must have looked pretty lost!). They were staying in Villasimius for a three week holiday and offered to drive us there! They were the kindest and most helpful women! But never did I think I'd hitchhike through Europe! Sorry Mom! At least there was a group of us =)

When we finally arrived to Villasimius, we realized our headaches, sore feet, bug bites, hitchhiking adventure was worth it! The golden sand, crystal-clear water and large, jagged cliffs became our home for the next three hours. We then ventured through the little village and arrived at our bus stop 40 minutes in advance - we were determined to arrive back to our B&B in Cagliari without anymore adventures! We practically cheered (and maybe some touchdown victory dances) as we saw the coach come in our direction! And finally at 10pm in the center of Cagliari, we thanked this bus driver for being more helpful than the last!

Now I'm back in Brussels, missing the 80 degree weather of the Mediterranean. For once though, I'm thankful that tomorrow's bus and metro to Ogilvy will be a simple ride and at least I know enough French to communicate with the drivers. =)

D-Day to Dairy Cows

Another riveting week in my European life! Thursday evening was our monthly EPA dinner. EPA has arranged our internships and is known throughout Europe for offering a wide variety of internship opportunities for college students. Be sure to check out their website! My blog may be appearing in their newsletter… http://www.epa-internships.org/index.html.

Friday, my classmates and I left for Normandy. Unfortunately, the trip was not as pleasant as we would have hoped – 8 of 20 of us caught some kind of flu bug. I was fortunate enough to be alright, but one of my roommates, not so lucky. Nevertheless, we made our way to Utah and Omaha Beach, the two beaches where American soldiers commenced D-Day, and Pointe-du-Hoc, with 150-200 foot cliffs. It was unbelievable and moving to experience these landmarks. To conclude our Saturday tour, we visited the American Cemetery in Normandy. Over 170 acres commemorating the soldiers of World War II. The landscape was painstakingly beautiful, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, while home to 30% of the American soldiers killed in Normandy.

Needless to say, it was a memorable weekend that touched many of us. However, I think all of us were grateful to arrive home in Brussels and protect our immune systems from whatever bug is going around our group.

Monday morning marked the first major protest of our stay. About 1,000 farmers drove tractors (actual tractors!) and farm animals (image cows and professionals in business suits united on the sidewalk) into Brussels during the early hours to protest the falling prices of milk. Since Brussels is home to the European Union, the Belgium capital has become a place to demonstrate. On my way to my internship, I encountered at least 50 security and policy vehicles. Ironically, the metro stop closest to our apartments is actual the stop closest to the European Council and European Commission. Great location on a typical day. Unfortunately, due to the number of tractors and numerous cows on the streets, daily Brussels traffic was quite chaotic. I made it home after an extra hour on the public transportation system. However, I shouldn’t complain, I did live to see a dozen cows in the middle of a European capital. =)

If you don’t believe me, be sure to visit the link below for more details on my outrageous day in Brussels! http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jAzYMRjkcPkwqjcEZEvjefV_3NzgD9B4V96O3